Okay, I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I have to decide *this week* between: A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). or B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. It is *not* an option to purchase a VoIP system package from Cisco, 3com, etc. Installers are getting an enormous premium for this now (rough estimate, 20 extensions $40K (!)). I am "this close" to committing to a solution based on Asterisk PBX, PoE LAN switches, and VoIP phones. I am absolutely sure it is the right *long term* solution, but I don't know if it is "ready" for reliable daily usage. I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has problems since that is what the mailing list is for. So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this direction or whether it makes sense. For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you to get the system running smoothly? PS: In case it matters, we're extremely Linux capable (we use it for our file serving, networking, and we built our own custom ERP on perl and mySQL, we also do embedded Linux in custom military robot controllers). -- Mike Ciholas (812) 476-2721 voice CIHOLAS Enterprises (812) 476-2881 fax 2626 Kotter Ave, Unit D mikec@ciholas.com Evansville, IN 47715 http://www.ciholas.com
Ernest W. Lessenger
2003-Aug-20 08:52 UTC
[Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use?
At 10:42 AM 8/20/2003 -0500, you wrote:>I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to >asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you >don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no >problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has >problems since that is what the mailing list is for. > >So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system >as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this >direction or whether it makes sense. > >For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you >to get the system running smoothly?I'm in almost the same situation as you. However, I'm mostly worried that the customer service desk here will start to complain that they can't tell how many calls are in the queue any more (our current phone tells us how many calls are ringing, on hold, etc). Regardless, I'm very interested to hear your results as well as what others on the list say, and would like to stay in touch with you if you decide to move forward with Asterisk. Thanks, --Ernest
> > Okay, > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > have to decide *this week* between: > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > or > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > It is *not* an option to purchase a VoIP system package from > Cisco, 3com, etc. Installers are getting an enormous premium for > this now (rough estimate, 20 extensions $40K (!)). > > I am "this close" to committing to a solution based on Asterisk > PBX, PoE LAN switches, and VoIP phones. I am absolutely sure it > is the right *long term* solution, but I don't know if it is > "ready" for reliable daily usage. > > I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to > asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you > don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no > problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has > problems since that is what the mailing list is for. > > So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system > as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this > direction or whether it makes sense. > > For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you > to get the system running smoothly? > > PS: In case it matters, we're extremely Linux capable (we use it > for our file serving, networking, and we built our own custom ERP > on perl and mySQL, we also do embedded Linux in custom military > robot controllers). > > -- > Mike Ciholas (812) 476-2721 voice > CIHOLAS Enterprises (812) 476-2881 fax > 2626 Kotter Ave, Unit D mikec@ciholas.com > Evansville, IN 47715 http://www.ciholas.com >Basically if you are as Linux capable as you say then Asterisk is most definately ready for "real" use in your situation.. I am nowhere near the all the Linux skills you mentioned and I am running 2 small Asterisk PBX's without too much hassle.. I have one with 3 extentions and the other currently with 5 extensions and counting... both are connected together via an IAX trunk.. As for the time frame.. you will really only need time to get your head around the config syntax and concepts.. after that you could setup a fresh PBX in a few hours.. but you will constantly be adding to it and tuning it.. :) So I would honestly say go for Asterisk... Later.. -- ______________________________________________ http://www.linuxmail.org/ Now with e-mail forwarding for only US$5.95/yr Powered by Outblaze
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003, Mike Ciholas wrote:> I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > have to decide *this week* between: > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > or > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX.Hedge your bets, pull two cables, and try asterisk. -- Dave Weis "I believe there are more instances of the abridgment djweis@sjdjweis.com of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."- James Madison
>I'm in almost the same situation as you. However, I'm mostly worried that >the customer service desk here will start to complain that they can't tell >how many calls are in the queue any more (our current phone tells us how >many calls are ringing, on hold, etc).yea we ran into that as well, we used the manager interface to write the info out to a Matrix Orbital LCD display devices so the Customer Service reps see that info
On Wed, Aug 20, 2003 at 12:13:07PM -0500, Dave Weis wrote:> > On Wed, 20 Aug 2003, Mike Ciholas wrote: > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > > have to decide *this week* between: > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > or > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > Hedge your bets, pull two cables, and try asterisk.I always run an all Cat5 network for voice and data. I usually try to pull twice as many strands of Cat5 to a location as I expect to have devices plugged in. That way, you can just patch your voice or data circuits to anywhere. Moving an extension is just a patch cable change and move the phone to the new jack. In the companies I have worked with, the only constant in layout of users was the state of flux. RJ11 plugs work in RJ45 jacks most of the time. If you have instability, crimp an RJ45 on you phone cord. -- Scott Lambert KC5MLE Unix SysAdmin lambert@lambertfam.org
Mike Ciholas wrote:> Okay, > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > have to decide *this week* between: > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > or > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > It is *not* an option to purchase a VoIP system package from > Cisco, 3com, etc. Installers are getting an enormous premium for > this now (rough estimate, 20 extensions $40K (!)). > > I am "this close" to committing to a solution based on Asterisk > PBX, PoE LAN switches, and VoIP phones. I am absolutely sure it > is the right *long term* solution, but I don't know if it is > "ready" for reliable daily usage. > > I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to > asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you > don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no > problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has > problems since that is what the mailing list is for. > > So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system > as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this > direction or whether it makes sense. > > For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you > to get the system running smoothly? > > PS: In case it matters, we're extremely Linux capable (we use it > for our file serving, networking, and we built our own custom ERP > on perl and mySQL, we also do embedded Linux in custom military > robot controllers). >For me it is ready for heavy use. I allready using it for 1 call center (call queues ...) and for the offise PBX. Now i'm waiting some hardware (channel banks ....) to test it with 100+ lines (1 E1 Trunks and analog lines). Only thing that is, if you're are begginer asterisk user, you will need some more time to get whole picture and the features (3-4 days googling and reading mailing list archives)
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003, Scott Lambert wrote:> On Wed, Aug 20, 2003 at 12:13:07PM -0500, Dave Weis wrote: > > On Wed, 20 Aug 2003, Mike Ciholas wrote: > > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > > > have to decide *this week* between: > > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > > > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > > or > > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > > > Hedge your bets, pull two cables, and try asterisk. > > I always run an all Cat5 network for voice and data. I usually try to > pull twice as many strands of Cat5 to a location as I expect to have > devices plugged in. > That way, you can just patch your voice or data circuits to anywhere. > Moving an extension is just a patch cable change and move the phone to > the new jack. In the companies I have worked with, the only constant in > layout of users was the state of flux. > RJ11 plugs work in RJ45 jacks most of the time. If you have > instability, crimp an RJ45 on you phone cord.If I am severly overwiring I terminate everything on 110 blocks and use these: http://www.siemon.com/e-catalog/products/Factory-Terminated_S110_Patch_Cords.asp for my data jacks. They are about $10 each or so and give you huge amounts of flexibility. You can still use cross connect cable for normal voice circuits if necessary. dave -- Dave Weis "I believe there are more instances of the abridgment djweis@sjdjweis.com of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."- James Madison
James H. Thompson
2003-Aug-21 02:37 UTC
[Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use?
One thing that PBX systems do well that VOIP systems mostly don't do at all well is support handsfree intercom/paging functions. Some phone systems will even let you page to an in-use extentsion. So if you depend on these kinds of functions, it may be hard to replace them with current VOIP systems. Jim James H. Thompson jht@lava.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Ciholas" <mikec@ciholas.com> To: <asterisk-users@lists.digium.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:42 AM Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use?> > Okay, > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > have to decide *this week* between: > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > or > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > It is *not* an option to purchase a VoIP system package from > Cisco, 3com, etc. Installers are getting an enormous premium for > this now (rough estimate, 20 extensions $40K (!)). > > I am "this close" to committing to a solution based on Asterisk > PBX, PoE LAN switches, and VoIP phones. I am absolutely sure it > is the right *long term* solution, but I don't know if it is > "ready" for reliable daily usage. > > I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to > asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you > don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no > problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has > problems since that is what the mailing list is for. > > So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system > as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this > direction or whether it makes sense. > > For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you > to get the system running smoothly? > > PS: In case it matters, we're extremely Linux capable (we use it > for our file serving, networking, and we built our own custom ERP > on perl and mySQL, we also do embedded Linux in custom military > robot controllers). > > -- > Mike Ciholas (812) 476-2721 voice > CIHOLAS Enterprises (812) 476-2881 fax > 2626 Kotter Ave, Unit D mikec@ciholas.com > Evansville, IN 47715 http://www.ciholas.com > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > >
Your post implies that the non-voip implementations of asterisk support intercom/paging. If this is so how do you get it to work? Gene -----Original Message----- From: James H. Thompson [mailto:jht@lj.net] Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 5:37 AM To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use? One thing that PBX systems do well that VOIP systems mostly don't do at all well is support handsfree intercom/paging functions. Some phone systems will even let you page to an in-use extentsion. So if you depend on these kinds of functions, it may be hard to replace them with current VOIP systems. Jim James H. Thompson jht@lava.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Ciholas" <mikec@ciholas.com> To: <asterisk-users@lists.digium.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:42 AM Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use?> > Okay, > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > have to decide *this week* between: > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > or > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > It is *not* an option to purchase a VoIP system package from > Cisco, 3com, etc. Installers are getting an enormous premium for > this now (rough estimate, 20 extensions $40K (!)). > > I am "this close" to committing to a solution based on Asterisk > PBX, PoE LAN switches, and VoIP phones. I am absolutely sure it > is the right *long term* solution, but I don't know if it is > "ready" for reliable daily usage. > > I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to > asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you > don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no > problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has > problems since that is what the mailing list is for. > > So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system > as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this > direction or whether it makes sense. > > For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you > to get the system running smoothly? > > PS: In case it matters, we're extremely Linux capable (we use it > for our file serving, networking, and we built our own custom ERP > on perl and mySQL, we also do embedded Linux in custom military > robot controllers). > > -- > Mike Ciholas (812) 476-2721 voice > CIHOLAS Enterprises (812) 476-2881 fax > 2626 Kotter Ave, Unit D mikec@ciholas.com > Evansville, IN 47715 http://www.ciholas.com > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > >_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Throwing my 4 cents in as well... In my opinion the greatest advantage of VoIP based systems is that they are so flexible and extendable. I could never dream of writing a script that would enable me to have my voicemail messages notified to me over SMS (as well as having that message emailed to me) and that's just one small example of the potential of these VoIP open source systems. The lack of support for handsfree intercom/paging (if there truly is a lack of support) is not due to any limitations of the technology (unlike most PBX's) its typically because nobody has decided to spend time on developing or supporting it yet ...> -----Original Message----- > From: Gene Kochanowsky [mailto:gene@solutionsciences.com] > Sent: 21 August 2003 15:54 > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use? > > > Your post implies that the non-voip implementations of > asterisk support intercom/paging. If this is so how do you > get it to work? > > Gene > > -----Original Message----- > From: James H. Thompson [mailto:jht@lj.net] > Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 5:37 AM > To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com > Subject: Re: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use? > > > One thing that PBX systems do well that VOIP systems mostly > don't do at all well is support > handsfree intercom/paging functions. Some phone systems > will even let you page to an in-use > extentsion. So if you depend on these kinds of functions, it > may be hard to replace them with > current VOIP systems. > > Jim > > James H. Thompson > jht@lava.net > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mike Ciholas" <mikec@ciholas.com> > To: <asterisk-users@lists.digium.com> > Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 5:42 AM > Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use? > > > > > > Okay, > > > > I am facing a move in two months to newly renovated space. I > > have to decide *this week* between: > > > > A) Pull LAN and phone cables, prepare to move and expand our > > "traditional" PBX (Panasonic KX-TD1232 and VPS200). > > > > or > > > > B) Pull only LAN cables, go VoIP, use Asterisk as PBX. > > > > It is *not* an option to purchase a VoIP system package from > > Cisco, 3com, etc. Installers are getting an enormous premium for > > this now (rough estimate, 20 extensions $40K (!)). > > > > I am "this close" to committing to a solution based on Asterisk > > PBX, PoE LAN switches, and VoIP phones. I am absolutely sure it > > is the right *long term* solution, but I don't know if it is > > "ready" for reliable daily usage. > > > > I've literally read the last year's worth of posts to > > asterisk-users to get a "feel" for the situation. Since you > > don't see posts of the form "installed it, just working, no > > problems" very often, you could get the opinion that everyone has > > problems since that is what the mailing list is for. > > > > So, I would like to hear from those out there that have a system > > as I've described above and tell me if I'm insane to commit this > > direction or whether it makes sense. > > > > For those of you who have done it, how much time did it take you > > to get the system running smoothly? > > > > PS: In case it matters, we're extremely Linux capable (we use it > > for our file serving, networking, and we built our own custom ERP > > on perl and mySQL, we also do embedded Linux in custom military > > robot controllers). > > > > -- > > Mike Ciholas (812) 476-2721 voice > > CIHOLAS Enterprises (812) 476-2881 fax > > 2626 Kotter Ave, Unit D mikec@ciholas.com > > Evansville, IN 47715 http://www.ciholas.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Asterisk-Users mailing list > > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users > _______________________________________________ > Asterisk-Users mailing list > Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com > http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users >********* DISCLAIMER ********* This message and any attachment are confidential and may be privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and may include proprietary information. If you are not the intended recipient, please telephone or email the sender and delete this message and any attachment from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy this message or attachment or disclose the contents to any other person
What is overhead paging and how is it done with asterisk? Gene -----Original Message----- From: Mark Spencer [mailto:markster@digium.com] Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 10:09 AM To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use?> It bugs me not having intercom/paging features. It also bugs me not > being able to look at my phones to see who's on/off.You can do overhead paging and even stream mp3's using nbsd Mark _______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
The Cisco SIP phones have a second voice channel available for a paging type of implementation. Now the problem is simply of finding someone and some time to see if it can be made to work with Asterisk. Ray Burkholder One Unified 519 570 0689 x2002> > *'s paging solution is a bad solution in light of today's > phone systems. > If you need it anywhere but in a barnyard, you should plan on > selecting a different phone system. It might work in a Sams, but > certainly not in an office. >
I'll be happy to work on this if you have some techinical information on how the intercom/paging features are to be setup with the Cisco SIP phones. Last I had saw - they needed an auto-answer type function in order for intercom/paging to be implemented. -----Original Message----- From: Ray Burkholder [mailto:ray@oneunified.net] Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 2:31 PM To: asterisk-users@lists.digium.com Subject: RE: [Asterisk-Users] Is Asterisk ready for "real" use? The Cisco SIP phones have a second voice channel available for a paging type of implementation. Now the problem is simply of finding someone and some time to see if it can be made to work with Asterisk. Ray Burkholder One Unified 519 570 0689 x2002> > *'s paging solution is a bad solution in light of today's > phone systems. > If you need it anywhere but in a barnyard, you should plan on > selecting a different phone system. It might work in a Sams, but > certainly not in an office. >_______________________________________________ Asterisk-Users mailing list Asterisk-Users@lists.digium.com http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
Oh really?!? Can you give us more information... On Mon, 2003-08-25 at 12:30, Ray Burkholder wrote:> The Cisco SIP phones have a second voice channel available for a paging > type of implementation. Now the problem is simply of finding someone > and some time to see if it can be made to work with Asterisk. > > Ray Burkholder